Is author of highly praised fiction debut "at the top of her field"?

Courtesy Galleycat, this Wash Post story about "A Thousand Years of Good Prayers" author Yiyun Li and her immigration troubles. Her debut short story collection was highly praised by the NYT, Washington Post, Christian Science Monitor, SF Chroncile and others, but this didn't help the immigation service to conclude that "she was an artist of 'extraordinary ability,' defined in Title 8, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 204.5(h)(2) as 'a level of expertise indicating that the individual is one of that small percentage who have risen to the very top of the field of endeavor.'"

Jeez, whattya have to do to get a green card around here?